How do I know if my draft inducer is bad?

One of the first indications of a bad draft inducer motor is likely to be the sound it makes. A failing inducer motor may create a noise shortly after a heating cycle begins. This could be a tapping noise, or a humming or whirring sound.

How long do furnace inducers last?

20 years
Is this the first time you’ve needed work performed on the draft inducer in the furnace? Barring unforeseen issues, a high-quality inducer motor is designed to last up to 20 years. Heat and other factors can shorten its lifespan, but it’s not the type of part you should replace every decade.

Is a blower motor and inducer motor the same thing?

An inducer motor and blower assembly is definitely one of those parts you don’t think about until something has gone wrong with it. The inducer blower assembly consists of a small motor powered by electricity, a fan, an electrical box to allow connections, and a metal sleeve that surrounds the fan assembly.

What is a furnace draft inducer motor?

What is a draft inducer? A draft inducer is a fan that’s located inside of your furnace near the heat exchanger. By turning on before your furnace ignites its burners, the draft inducer is able to clear out any combustion gases that might be lingering in the heat exchanger from the previous heating cycle.

What causes inducer motor failure?

Most inducer motors failures are simply attributed to the older age of the furnace. In most cases, the internal bearings wear out and since the unit is a sealed unit, there is no way to repair the original motor. Instead the unit is simply replaced with a new one.

How much does it cost to replace a draft inducer motor?

A replacement draft inducer motor will cost between $500 and $700.

Why do inducer motors fail?

How much does it cost to replace furnace inducer?

Average Draft Inducer Motor Replacement Cost The average furnace inducer motor cost is around $245, when the part is under warranty and you pay only the labor to have it installed. The replacement cost is $465 when the warranty has expired and you pay for the furnace inducer motor.

When would you use a draft inducer?

Draft inducers are special fans that are installed in the flue vent connector (or sometimes in the chimney) used to vent a heating boiler or furnace. Most often we see these installed on oil-fired systems at which the technician was unable to obtain sufficient natural draft for proper oil burner operation.

How much does it cost to replace a furnace inducer motor?

A draft inducer motor costs $200 to $1,500 to repair or replace. A simple fan wheel might cost $20 in parts with another two hours in labor. Replacing the entire unit runs $600 to $1,500, depending on the model and brand.

Can you oil a draft inducer motor?

There are two lubrication points on most draft inducer blowers, although there are sealed motors that do not require lubrication. Lubricating a furnace draft inducer blower also includes the motor shaft where it enters the bearing collar of the blower wheel.

What is a draft inducer used for?

A draft inducer blower is a device used in furnaces to transfer gasses through a heat exchanger. The device is powered by a motor driving a wheel assembly.

Does a furnace inducer need to be replaced?

Furnace inducer motors only last for so many years. If you’ve had your furnace for over a decade, chances are the inducer will need a replacement. For a quick and easy job like this, there’s no reason not to replace it. Remember, this motor helps keep poisonous and harmful chemicals out of your home.

What does an inducer fan do on a furnace?

A draft inducer is a fan that’s located inside of your furnace near the heat exchanger. When your furnace begins a heating cycle, the draft inducer is one of the first devices that turns on. In fact, the draft inducer starts up 30-60 seconds before the burners are lit and continues to run throughout each heating cycle.

What problems occur with induced draft fans?

If the inducer fan motor cannot turn on, the furnace will generally shut off and lock out. Other reasons why the draft inducer blower may ultimately shut down a furnace include a faulty pressure switch, a bad rubber tube component, or there may be a blockage in the gas vent flue, or even that the blower itself may not be working properly.